Kim Stemper

Orange

Philanthropy Columnist, Nonprofits at Orange County Business Journal

Writer at Freelance

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ocbj.com

Articles

Orange County Business Journal

5 days ago | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

Fest for the FutureThe Orangewood Foundation hosted its most successful community event to date, the 2025 OrangewoodFest and Orangewood Challenge on May 3. The family-friendly event was held at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, bringing together hundreds of supporters who helped raise over $645,000 to fund programs that help Orange County youth achieve self-sufficiency through education, housing, employment and wellness.
Orange County Business Journal

2 weeks ago | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

Caring in CapriOn May 3, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation hosted its annual Spring Gala at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach in Dana Point, drawing guests into the coastal charm of Capri with its La Dolce Vita theme. The event raised a record-breaking $862,000 to support Saddleback Medical Center’s mission to improve community health and expand cancer care services.
Philanthropy in Orange County: Girl’s Inc., Make-A-Wish Orange County, Childhelp Orange County Chapter

1 month ago | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

Girl WorldGirls Inc. of Orange County held its annual gala, Celebrating the Girls Inc. Experience, on April 26 at Fête the Venue in Costa Mesa. The celebration brought together community leaders, partners and supporters to raise more than $400,000 in support of Girls Inc.’s research-based programs in STEM, financial literacy, college and career readiness, healthy relationships, body image and advocacy. Guests were invited to step into the world of a Girls Inc.
Orange County Business Journal

1 month ago | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

Illumination Health + Home, formerly Illumination Foundation, hosted its 12th Annual Chef’s Table: Sip, Savor and Sounds gala on April 6 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The sold-out event, chaired by Karen Jordan, development committee chair, Illumination Health + Home board of directors, and presented by the Bickerstaff Family Foundation, welcomed more than 400 guests and raised $1.4 million to support families facing homelessness in Orange County.
Orange County Business Journal

2 months ago | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

Like Riding a BikeOn Feb. 8, the Golden State Foods Foundation (GSF Foundation) partnered with the Taco Bell Foundation to host a Bike Building event benefiting the children on the waitlist for Big Brother Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire (BBBS OC/IE). Held at the organization’s facility, the event paired each child with a volunteer from one of the sponsoring organizations to help them assemble their very own bike. In total, 22 bikes were built.
Think Together Converting HQ to 270 Units

Mar 10, 2025 | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

Think Together, Orange County’s largest non-profit organization, is taking a bold step to ensure its long-term financial stability by redeveloping its Santa Ana headquarters into a $150 million workforce housing project. The move aims to generate a steady revenue stream that will sustain its mission of providing educational support to underserved students.
Boys & Girls Clubs Merge, Saves $750K

Feb 10, 2025 | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

One of Orange County’s largest Boys & Girls Clubs of America just got bigger. Last month, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast (BGC of Central OC) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress merged, expanding services for more than 12,000 children and teens in seven cities. The merger, effective Jan.
Balboa Island Museum Has Turned into a Cultural Hub in Orange County

Feb 2, 2025 | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

For several years, the Balboa Island Museum was tucked away in a quaint cottage on a side street near the bridge welcoming visitors to the island. Though modest in size, it was a treasure trove of photographs, artworks, memorabilia, personal letters and town records, captivating history enthusiasts with its charm and depth. Thanks to Shirley Pepys, the fledgling museum eventually found a home on Marine Avenue, Balboa Island’s lively main street of shops and eateries.
PHILANTHROPY: UC Irvine Athletics, Families Forward, Sage Hill

Feb 2, 2025 | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

Team PlayerUniversity of California, Irvine Athletics has received a gift of $5 million to further bolster its baseball program. The donation, the largest in the history for UC Irvine Athletics, comes from Steve and Linda Borowski to found and name a new player development center.
PHILANTHROPY: Bowers Museum, Bank of America OC, Angels Baseball Foundation

Jan 20, 2025 | ocbj.com | Kim Stemper

Artistic GardenThe Bowers Museum hosted a sold-out black-tie gala on Nov. 16 to celebrate the opening of The Eternal Garden: Titanium Art exhibit by Aka Chen, which remains on display through April 13. The event welcomed more than 200 luminaries from the arts, philanthropy and business communities, raising $500,000 for the museum’s educational program.